lecture 5 introduction to eia 24012013

8/13/2019 Lecture 5 Introduction to EIA 24012013

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not

every man's greed - Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)

CE6180:EIA- Lecture 5


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INTRODUCTION

EIA is an activity designed to identify and predict theimpact of a project on Physical, Chemical, Biological,Cultural, Socio-Economic Environmental System and on

human health so as to recommend appropriate legislativemeasures, programs and operational procedures tominimize the impact.

EIA is an exercise to be carried out before the project isundertaken to ensure that it will not in anyway harm theenvironment on a short term or long term basis.


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Definition

EIA can be defined as a process by whichinformation about the environmental effects of aproject is collected, both by the developer and

from the other sources, and taken into accountby relevant decision making body before adecision is given on whether the developmentshould go ahead.

It can be defined more simply as anassessment of the impacts of a planned activityon the environment


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Implication of an EIA definition

EIA is defined as a systematic process of

Determining and managing (identifying, describing, measuring,predicting, interpreting, communicating, involving and controlling)the

Potential (or real) impacts (direct and indirect, individual andcumulative, likelihood of occurrence) of

Proposed (or existing) human actions (projects, plans, programs,legislation, activities) and their alternatives on the

Environment (physical, chemical, biological, ecological, humanhealth, cultural, social, economic, built and interrelations).


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Environment may be defined differently depending upon theperspective of the definer. In the case of EIA, environment is usuallyconsidered to constitute three main subsystems:

1. Physical Environment (geology, topology, climate, water, air).

2. Biological Environment (terrestrial and aquatic communities,

rare and endangered species, sensitive habitats, significant

natural sites).

3. Socio-cultural Environment (population, land use, development

activities, goods and services, public health, recreation, cultural

properties, customs, aspirations).


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Impact may be defined as the consequences of changes in theenvironment but it should not be confused with effect. For example,increase in river pollution due to the initiation of a new project is aneffect while consequences of river pollution on human health, flora,fauna, etc. is the impact.

Assessment normally does not mean doing new science, but ratherassembling, summarizing, organizing and interpreting pieces ofexisting knowledge, and communicating them so that an intelligent butinexpert policymaker will find them relevant and helpful in their deliberations.

Environmental Impact Assessment can thus be defined as "thesystematic process of identifying future consequences of a current orproposed action. EIA is both an art and a science. Managementaspect in EIA is an art, whereas the technical analysis is based on thescientific principles.


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EIA process

Screening

EIAAdministrative

Process

EIAPlanning

Process

EIADocumentation

Process

Scoping BaselineAnalysis ImpactAnalysis Interpretation

Evaluation Synthesis Management Participation

Proposal/Alternatives

Environment

Review &

Decision

Making

EIA PROCESS


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SALIENT FEATURES OF EIA

The EIA identifies the positive and negative impacts to

the environment.

The EIA provides a plan to reduce or offset negativeimpacts and utilize positive impacts for enhancement

measures.

The EIA provides a monitoring program.


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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

EIA has been considered as a central management tool for achievingsustainable development.

sustainable development is defined as "development, which meets theneeds of the present generation without compromising the ability offuture generations to fulfill their needs."

The aims and objectives of EIA

The immediate aim of EIA is to inform the process of decision-making

by identifying the potentially significant environmental effects and risks

of development proposals.

The ultimate (long term) aim of EIA is to promote sustainable developmentby ensuring that development proposals do not undermine criticalresource and ecological functions or the well being, lifestyle and livelihoodof the communities and peoples who depend on them.


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Immediate objectives of EIA are to:

Improve the environmental design of the proposal.

Ensure that resources are used appropriately and efficiently.

Identify appropriate measures for mitigating the potential impacts of

the proposal.

Facilitate informed decision making, including setting theenvironmental terms and conditions for implementing the proposal.

Long term objectives of EIA are to:

Protect human health and safety.

Avoid irreversible changes and serious damages to the

environment.

Safeguard valued resources, natural areas and ecosystem

components.

Enhance the social aspects of the proposal.


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The three core values of any EIA study are:

Integrity: The EIA process should be fair, objective, unbiased

and balanced.

Utility: The EIA process should provide balanced, credibleinformation for decision-making.

Sustainability: The EIA process should result in environmental

safeguards which are sufficient to mitigateserious adverse effects and avoid irreversible

loss of resource and ecosystem functions.


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Evolution of Environmental Impact

Assessment

Pre 1970

Projects review based on technical/engineering and

economic analysis.

Limited consideration given to environmental

consequences.

Early/Mid 1970s

EIA introduced by NEPA in 1970 in US.

Basic principle: Guidelines, procedures including public

participation requirement instituted. Standard methodologies for impact analysis developed

(e.g. matrix, checklist and network).

Several other countries adopt NEPA-based approach (e.g.,

Canada, Australia, New Zealand)

Major public inquires (rather than court litigations) helpshape the process's development.


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Late 1970s to early 1980s

More formalized guidance (guidelines)

Other industrial and developing countries introduced

formal EIA requirements and began to use the process

informally or experimentally.

Use of EA by developing countries (Brazil, Philippines,China, Indonesia)

Social Impact Assessment (SIA), risk analysis included

in EA processes

Greater emphasis on ecological modeling, prediction and

evaluation methods.

Environmental inquiries in several countries encompass

policy review aspects.

Coordination of EA with land use planning processes.


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Mid 1980s to end of decade

EC Directive on EIA establishes basic principles andprocedural requirements for all member states.

Increasing efforts to address cumulative effects. Development of follow-up mechanisms (e.g., compliances and

effects monitoring, auditing, impact management).

Ecosystem and landscape level approaches applied (e.g., to

assess wetland losses).

World Bank and other international lending and aid agenciesestablish EA requirements.

Increasing number of developing countries carry out EAs.


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1990s

Requirement to consider trans-boundary effects under EspooConvention.

EIA identified as implementing mechanism for UN conventions onclimate change and biological diversity.

SEA systems established by increasing number of countries mediationincorporate into EA requirements (still limited).

Sustainability principles and global issues receive increased attention(some EA guidance but still limited)

Increasing use of GIS and other information technologies.

Application of EA to international development activities morewidespread.

.

Greater corporate use of EA, including screening investment and loandecisions and undertaking site and property assessment to establishliabilities.

Rapid growth in EA training, networking and cooperation activities.

Enactment of EA legislation by many developing countries.

EIA PROCEDURES


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Screening(Does the project require EIA?)

Scoping(what issues and impacts should the

EIA address?)

Baseline studies(establish the environmental

baseline)

Alternatives

(consider the different approaches)

Mitigation(what can be done to alleviate

negative impacts?)

Reporting/reviewing(document the EIA findings)

Public Hearing

(consult general public )

Monitoring

(monitor impacts of project)

Impact prediction

(forecast the environmental impacts)

Impact assessment(interpreting the impacts)

EIA PROCEDURES


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THE EIA PROCESS

The EIA process comprises

screening - to decide if and at what level EIA should be applied

scoping - to identify the important issues and prepare terms of reference

impact analysis - to predict the effects of a proposal and evaluate their

significance

mitigation - to establish measures to prevent, reduce or compensate forimpacts


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reporting - to prepare the information necessary fordecision-making

review- tocheck thequalityof theEIAreport.

decision-making - to approve (or reject) the proposal

andset conditions

follow up to monitor, manage and audit the impacts of

project implementation

public involvement - to inform and consult with

stakeholders

THE EIA PROCESS (CONTINUED)


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KEY STAKEHOLDERS

local people affected by a proposal

proponent and project beneficiaries

government agencies

NGOs

others, e.g. donors, the private sector,

academics


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KEY OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF

GOOD EIA PRACTICE

EIA should: be applied to all proposals having significant impacts

begin early in the project cycle

address relevant environmental, social and health

impacts identify and take account of public views

result in a statement of impacts and mitigation measures

facilitate informed decision making and condition

setting


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BENEFITS OF EIA INCLUDE

environmentally sound and sustainable design

better compliance with standards

savings in capital and operating costs

reduced time and costs for approvals

increased project acceptance

better protection of the environment and human health


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MAIN ELEMENTS OF AN EIA REPORT

executive summary

need for and aims of the proposal

description of proposal and alternatives

description of affected environment and community

public consultation and views

main impacts and their mitigation

evaluation of significant residual impacts

environmental management plan


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actionable by the proponent

decision-relevant to the responsible authority

user-friendly for the public

A SUCCESSFUL EIA REPORT WILL BE


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EVALUATION OF IMPACTS

prediction of each major impact

proposed mitigation measures

significance of the residual impact

limitations, uncertainty and gaps in knowledge


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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

proposed mitigation measures

schedule for implementation

surveillance and monitoring programmes

impact management strategy

reporting, audit and review procedure

any institution and capacity building requirements

lecture 5 introduction to eia 24012013

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